Consequences of Mexican War Essay Example

occupation of the area between River Nueces and the Rio Grande.

It followed a series of war messages prepared by President Polk while seeking a war approval by the Congress. The first word was drawn up on 9th May 1846 which termed the Mexican negation refusal with John Slidell and refusal to settle U.S claims as hostility. Upon reception of the message about the deployment of Mexican troops who aimed at stopping Taylor’s troops from occupation on the disputed land where they attacked and killed 16 among the Taylor’s troop, President Polk prepared another war message to the Congress claiming that Mexicans have invaded American territory shedding American blood on American soil. It follows approval by the Congress on the declaration of war against Mexico that occurred four days after President Polk’s first signal message to Congress. Although Polk got approval from the Congress to declare war against Mexicans, the nation entered into the war divided with Support from Democrats other groups challenging his assertion on the initial conflict between America and Mexico happening on American soil was not veracious.

Also, it was challenged by the legislator who claimed that the president does not have the power to declare a state of war. Another group that opposed the declaration of the war is a group of Abolitionist lead by Henry David Thoreau that termed the war as an intention by slave states to extend slavery by creating additional slave states (Daniel, 2014). Again, another challenge was posed by Abraham Lincoln where he introduced eight Spot Resolution to analyze the Polk’s claim, with an aim of challenging the Polk’s legitimacy on state war declaration. With all these challenges,

President Polk remained firmly loyal to his assertion that the war was just.

The eruption of the war marked the return of Santa Anna from Cuba where he went into exile to Mexico, purposely for peacekeeping, but instead he became in charge of the Mexican Military. As noted in the above, the war begun with the United States sending her troops under two general; Zachary Taylor and Stephen Kearny. The troops under Taylor took the occupation of the disputed land between River Nueces and the Rio Grande and was responsible for the invasion of the so-called heart of Mexico. The other side was Stephen Kearny, who was in charge of troops that were sent to take occupation of California and New Mexico.

The invasion of the New Mexico and California under Stephen Kearny faced some difficulties with residents calling for occupation with low indignation. Taylor made progress with his followers like John Fremont where they managed to capture the city of Monterrey alongside with defeating of Mexican troops at what is referred to as a Battle of Buena Vista. Taylor upon an order from Polk crossed the Rio Grande to fight Santa Anna forces where he advanced towards the heart of Mexico. On the other hand, Stephen Kearny upon occupation of California proceeded to Santa Fe where he was to capture the city of New Mexico after her Governor fled (Daniel, 2014).

President Polk adjusted his fighting strategy by ordering Winfield Scott to move his army along the sea to Vera Cruz where they captured the key seaport and marched to the Mexico City, the capital city of Mexico where he managed to enter the city on 14th

September 1847. After the fall of Mexico City following the negotiation on the terms-of-peace in which the war ended in February 1848 through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The treaty established that the border between Mexico and United States is on the Rio Grande with recognition of U.S Texas annexation and an agreement to sell California, New Mexico and all territories to the north of the Rio Grande all for $15 million with compensation for damages based on citizens claim.

In summary, the Mexican-American war was as a result of border disputes as well as U.s annexation of Texas. Being initially a Mexican slave state that attained independence in 1836, Texas was abandoned from inclusion by U.S into the union as a new slave state due to political influence from northern as well as a threat from Mexico to enter into war in any attempt to annex it. President Polk, who was territory-expansion minded, pushed for the annexation of Texas and re-occupation of Oregon with great interest in New Mexico as well as California. Due to the rejection of the Mexico to negotiate on the purchase of those lands, Polk ignited the war by sending troops to the disputed land.

The war ended with the acquisition of more lands by America from Mexico, which ignited the issue of slavery in the new territories. This resulted in tension between the North and the South wit California being declared a free state. With the anticipation of slavery increase in other territories with the growth of industrialization, a debate was raised. Also with the acquisition of more land with the questions behind the status of the newly acquired territories gave

the passion for the new debate on sovereignty and the issue of slavery coined the civil war.

When the war reached its conclusion, the victory went to the side of Americans with the signing of a treaty that meant to expand the nation coverage southwards (Daniel, 2014). With the victory in the war that President Polk had ignited with an intention to fulfill his promises during the presidential campaign of re-occupation of Oregon and re-annexation of Texas and expansion of the nation territories couple with a series of success during military invasion brought a notion that white Americans were ordained to dominate the continent. Finally, the great acquisition of more land and new territories couple with the issue of slavery and creation of Free States brought the compromise that leads to tension between the north and south.

In conclusion, the war between the Mexico and American war a border conflict war that was geared by the expansionist policies by President Polk to expand the nation together with the pride to produce Manifest destiny. The war started in May 1846 and ended in February 1848 with America emerging as victorious. The war was significant to the United States since it resulted in the acquisition of more land and addition of new slave states. Also, the war brought the tension between the north and the south more on the issue of slavery and sovereignty.

Reference:

• Daniel, V. (2014). Mexican-American War. Docs. school Publications.